International Balloon Festival

Every year the tiny village of Chateau d’Oex welcomes hot air balloon enthusiasts from all over the world for a week-long series of demonstrations and competitions. For spectators, it’s quite a sight to look up into a sky crowded with colourful balloons drifting slowly over the mountains, particularly if there’s snow on the ground and the sky is blue. For the best photos, walk up the hill to the chapel in the centre of the village. As well as watching the various races, visitors can buy a balloon flight to sample the experience for themselves – and it’s certainly a picturesque place to try it for the first time. A highlight of the festival is the Night Glow event after dark when some 20 illuminated balloons and paragliders fly to a musical soundtrack.